Joanne Wren Tompkins

Margaret JoAnne Tompkins of Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully the morning of August 15th, 2025 after a brief illness surrounded by the love of her two sons.  She was 88 years old.  JoAnne was born on July 29th, 1937 in Blythe, Georgia to James Floyd Wren and Nina Mae Martin.  Her family moved to Augusta, Georgia where she graduated from The Academy of Richmond County.  Her high school yearbook contained an inscription from a friend that read “I hope you have the two boys you have always wanted”.   JoAnne married Benjamin Jones Tompkins in Augusta in 1959. Though they later divorced, together they had the two sons JoAnne had always wanted.

JoAnne was the most devoted mother always showering her sons with love, support and acceptance of whatever endeavors they chose.  She loved to cook, took “gourmet” cooking classes as a young mother, and amassed a sizable cookbook collection over the years. She was a voracious reader, and loved her books – overflowing bookshelves dominated the rooms of her homes.  She was a frequent visitor of her local branch libraries in Augusta and later in life in Atlanta.  Perhaps her favorite pastime was reading her home-delivered Augusta and Atlanta daily newspapers, People, Vanity Fair, and a host of other periodicals – and watching her news-magazine or “murder” shows.

In addition to her death, JoAnne is predeceased by her parents, and a brother George Nathaniel Wren. She is survived by her sons Ben (Steven) and Marc (Jenny) of Atlanta; and sister Dorothy Lowery (North Augusta) and niece Tamela (North Augusta). JoAnne is also survived by her two beloved grandsons, Wren and James, who came into her life in her eighties, but no doubt gave her the fortitude to live on, despite a series of health setbacks.  She was fortunate to spend her last years in her own apartment within the home of Marc and Jenny, surrounded daily by her “babies” Wren and James, and with constant love from her sons Ben and Marc.

The family will announce and host a memorial service in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Safe Homes, Domestic Violence Center in Augusta.